There are a million different sounds that ring through the dormitory halls every single day. There really isn’t a moment of silence in a freshman dorm. The 24 hour-long cycle of people moving around and talking certainly develops a pattern. Not all the noises have to be a bad thing, but some can certainly become annoying. Here are the stand-out things I hear every day in my dorm building, from the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep.

1. Police and fire trucks

Especially if you live near a big city, you can hear the sirens going all day and night long.

2. Talking

This one is a given. There will be people talking down the halls, in the dorm rooms, and all over.

3. Coughing

Clearly, sicknesses run rampant through freshman dorms. There is always someone sure to have that loud cough you can’t wait for them to get rid of.

4. Toilets flushing

If you have the fortune of living right next to the bathroom, as I do, then you get to know every time someone goes into the bathroom and flushes the toilet.

5. Phone alarms

This is either because the walls are paper thin or because their alarm is really loud, but you can hear people’s alarms going off in the morning who are down the hall.

6. Phone messages

I know exactly when that girl down the hall gets a text.

7. Doors opening and closing

This is probably the most prominent one. Doors are ALWAYS opening or closing. People always have to keep moving around!

8. Music

People tend to play loud rap music down the halls.

9. Emergency exit alarms

Some people feel the need to not read the “EMERGENCY” sign on the door or they can’t walk to the regular exit. This results in a loud, repetitive alarm going off.

10. Construction

I get the pleasure of waking up to 8 AM drill noises that seem to be coming from above my head. There is always more construction to do, I guess!

Just as I thought I would never get over the constant toilet flushing next to me, these sounds will become so familiar that you won’t even notice them anymore! Hopefully...